Reflecting device



24, 1929. L. R. ZEHNDER 4 REFLECTING DEVICE Filed May 11, 1928 INVENTOR.

. ATTORNEY.

Patented Dec. 24, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LOUIS RAYMOND ZEI-INDER, OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE AS- SIGNMENTS,TO LOUISVILLE FROG, SWITCH & SIGNAL COMPANY, OF LOUISVILLE,

.KENTUCKY, A CORPORATION Application filed May 11,

This invention relates to a lens cap, holder or carrier for use in connection with reflector devices of tliattype whereby incidental light is reflected so as to illuminate advertising.

' of the latter together to provide a unit, and

further with the cap, holder or carrier serving as a means for securing the unit to the object in which it is to be placed, that is the base of the sign or signal. A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a lens cap, holder or carrier for a reflecting device in a manner-whereby a reflector and a large part of the lens forming elements of the reflector device are closed.

Further objects of the invention are to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a lens cap, holder 'or carrier for a reflecting device which is simple in its construction and arrangement, Y strong, durable, compact, thoroughly eflicient in its use, conveniently united with-a lens to enclose a large partthereof, and inexpensive to manufacture.

With the foregoing and other objects in view the invention consists of thenovel construction, combinationand arrangement 'of parts as hereinafter .more specifically described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications can be resorted to which fall within the of the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding ,parts throughout the several views Figure 1 illustrates in vertical section a lens cap, holder or carrier in' accordance with this invention and further showing thev adaptationthereof with respect to a lens and reflector and further with the reflecting unit- 'mounted in the base of a sign or signal.

Figure 2 is a top plan 'viewof the form shown in Figure 1.

scope REFLECTING DEVICE- 1928. Serial No. 276,997.

Figure 3 illustrates in vertical section a modified form of lens cap, holder or carrier showing the adaptation thereof with respect to a lens, reflector and the base of a sign or support.

Figure 4 is a top plan View of the structure shown in Figure V Figures 5, 6 and 7 are vertical section views of modified forms of lenses.

The lens cap, holder or carrier will be here inafter termed a holder. i

The lens as illustrated in connection with each holder is generally-designated at 20 and comprises a cylindrical body portion 21 of uniform cross section and apair of end portions 22, 23 of convex curvature. The body portion 21 is of materially greater length than the combined length of the end portions 22, 23. The lens is bi-convex.

Each of the holders as shown is of less length than the length of the lens and is formed with a convex bottom or inner end and with the latter closed. A reflector C0111 forms in contour to the inner face of the'bottom or inner end of the holder and the reflector can be set up in any suitable manner I and preferably the inner face of the inner end or closed bottom of each holder can be silvered or formed in any suitable manner to provide the reflector and which is desi ated 24 with respect to each form of holder illus-. trated. i

Referring to Figures 1' and 2 of the drawings the holder comprises a cylindrical body portion 25 open at its outer end and having a closed, convexed inner end or bottom 26. The bodyportion 25 in proximity to its open end is formed with-a laterally-extending annular flange 27 which merges into an annular portion 28. That part of the body portion 25 extending inwardly from the flange 27 to or signal and which is formed with a socket- 32 of uniform diameter throughout. offset annular portion 28 has its forward edge flush with the outer face of the base 31 and its outer diameter is the same as the diameter of the socket so as to frictionally engage the wall of the socket and secure the unit therein. The diameter of that part of the body portion 25 of the holder which extends inwardly from flange 27 is materially less than the diameter of the socket whereby such part is spaced from the wall of the socket'32.

The lens 20-is of greater length than the length of the holder and the convexed end 23 of the lens 20 snugly seats against the as not to destroy its reflecting function.

The form illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 is of the same construction as that shown in Figure 1 and the holder is generally indicated at 36 and has the offset annular portion 37 thereof serrated or toothed upon its outer periphery as indicated at 38 providing means for securing the holder in position with respect to the .base 39. The knurled, serrated or toothed annular portion 36 allows for the holder to be driven in sockets varying somewhat in size without crushing the sealing medium.

In Figures 5, 6 and .7 there is shown different shapes of lenses and shown in Figure 5 the lens is of plano-convex contour. In Figure 6 the lens shown is of bi-co'nvex contour and in Figure of convex-concave contour. The lens in Figure 5 is indicated at 40. That in Figure 5 at 41 and the lens in Figure 7 at 42. Preferably a bi-convex lens will be employed with the holder, but it is to be understood that the forms shown in Figures 5 and 7 can be employed in the unitand the latter w1ll consist of a holder, a reflector,

' 'ailens and a sealing medium. The holder will be of a length to have its inner end seat against the bottom of the socket. The combined sealing and securing medium is indicated, where it is shown at 35.

When the elements of the unit are arranged together a part of the body portion 21 of each lens projects from the outer end of the holder. The inner end of a bi-convex lens is to rest against -the reflector 24, and the latter is to conform to the shape of such inner .end and such shape will conform to that of the bottom or inner end of the holder.

The reflecting unit is commonly used in The the construction of road indicatorsand other signs which at night are illuminatedor renderedvisible by the reflection .of light coming from the'lamps ofmotor vehicles or some other extraneous source.

the unit is designed primarily for road'in dicators and other signs, yet it is to be under- The units can be arranged in any manner desired. Although stood that it can be employed for forming symbols, letters, figures and also in connection with buoys. or for any other purposes for which it is found applicable. g

It is thought the many advantages of a reflecting device or unit in accordance with this invention, more particularly the lens holder forming an element thereof, can be readily understood, and although the pre-- ferred embodiment of the invention is as illustrated and described, yet itis to be understood that changes in the details of construction can be had which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What I claim is: 1. In a reflecting device a lens holder comprising a hollow, cylindrical body having a v closed inner end and an open outer end, said body including an inner part and an outer part for surrounding the lens, the inner diameter of said inner part being such to provide for the latter to snugly fit the lens, said outer partoffset with respect to and being connected at its inner end. to the outer end of said inner part and providing in connection with the lens a pocket for the reception of a means for connecting the lens to said body and for sealing said inner part.

2: In a reflecting device a lens holder comprising a hollow body having a closed inner end and an open outer end, said body including an inner part and an outer part for surrounding the lens, said outer part offset withrespect to and connected with said inner part and providing in connection with the lens a pocket for the reception of a means for connecting the lens to said body and for sealing said inner part, the closed inner end of said body conforming in contour to the shape of the inner end of thelens and having its inner face provided with areflecting means.

3. In a reflecting device a lens holder comprising a hollow body having a closed inner end and an open outer end, said body including an inner part and an outer part for surrounding the lens, said outer partoflset with respect to and connected with said inner part and providing in connection with the lens a pocket for the reception of a means for connecting the lens'to said body and for sealing said inner part, the closed inner end of said body being of convex contour and having its inner face provided with a reflecting means.

4. In areflecting device a lens holder comprising a hollow, cylindrical body having a closed inner end and an open outer end, said body includingan .inner part and an outer 1o materially less length than said inner part.

5. In a reflecting device a lens holder comprising a hollow, cylindrical body having a closed inner endand an open outer end, said body including an inner part and an outer partfor surrounding the lens, the inner diameter of said inner part being such to provide for the latter to snugly fit the lens, said outer part offset with respect to and being connected at its inner end to the outer end of said inner part and providing in connection with the lens a pocket for the reception of a means for connecting the lens to said body and for seal-- ing said inner part, said body of less length than the length of the lens and said outer part being of less length than the length of said inner part. it

6. In a reflecting device a lens holder comprising a hollow, cylindrical body portion having a closed inner end and an open outer end, said body formed at a point between its transverse median and its outer end with a laterally extending flange thereby providing the outer part of the body offset with respect to the inner part thereof, the said outer part of said body in connection with the lens providing a pocket for the reception of a means for connecting the lens to said body and for sealing the inner part of the latter, and the inner diameter of said inner part being such to provide for the latter to snugly fit the lens.

prising a hollow body portion having a closed inner end and an open outer end, said body formed at a point between its transverse median and its outer end with a laterally extending flange; thereby providing theouter part of the body offset with respect to the inner part thereof, the said outer part of said L body in connection with the lens providing 'a pocketfor the reception of a means for connecting the lens to said body and for sealing the-inner part of the latter, and said body having its closed end of convex contour, the closed end of said-body having its inner face i 55. provided with a reflecting means.-

to the lens and providing in connection therewith a pocket for the reception of a means for L? connecting the lens to said body and for seal- 7. In a reflecting device a lens holder com ing that part of the body which snugly eugages the lens.

'9. In a reflecting device a lens holder of less length than the lens mountedtherein, said lens holder including a hollow body portion having a closed inner end and an open outer end, said body having a part thereof for snug engagement with a part of the lens, the other part of said body ofiset with respect to the lens and providing in connection therewith a pocket fornthe reception of a, means for connecting the lens to said body and for sealing that part of the body which snugly engages the lens, the closed inner end of said body being of convex contour and having its inner face provided with a reflecting means.

10. In a reflecting device a lens holder of sealing that part of the body which snugly engages the lens, the closed inner end of said body being of convex contour and having its inner face provided with a reflecting means, that part of said body for snug engagement with the lens being of materially greater length than that part of said body offset with respect to the lens.

11. In a reflecting device a lens holder of less length than the lens mounted therein, said lens holder including a hollow body portion having a closed inner end and an open outer end, said body having a part thereof for snug engagement with a part of the lens, the other part of said body offset with respect to the lens and providing in connection therewith a pocket for the reception of a means for connecting the lens to said body and for sealing that part of the body which snugly engages the lens, the closed inner end of said body being of convex contour and having its inner face provided with a refleeting means conforming in contour to and adapted to abut throughout the inner end of .the lens, that part of-said body for snug engagement with the lens being of materially greater length than that part of said body offset with respect to the lens.

i 12. In a reflecting device a lens holder comprising a hollow, cylindrical body having a closed inner end and an open outer end, said body including an inner part and an outer part for surrounding the lens, said outer part offset with respect to and being connected at its inner end with the outer end of said inner part and providing in connection with the lens a pocket for the reception of ameans for connecting the lens to said body and for sealing said inner part, and said ofiset part having inherent means on the outer periphery thereof for securing holder in position.

13. In a reflecting device a lens holder comprising a hollow body having a closed inner end and an open outer end, said body including an inner part and an outer part for surrounding the lens, said outer part offset with respect to and connected with said inner part and providing in connection with the lens a pocket for the reception of a means for connecting the lens to said body and for sealing said inner part, the closed inner end of said body conforming in contour to the shape of'the inner end of the lens and having its inner face provided with a reflecting means, and said olfset part having inherent means on the outer periphery thereof for securing holder in position.

14. In a reflecting device a lens holder of less le'ngth than the lens mounted therein, said lens holder including a hollow body portion having a closed inner end and an open outer end, said body having a part thereof for snug engagement with a part of the lens, the

other part of said body offset with respect to the lens and providing in connection therewith a pocket for the reception of a means for connecting the lens to said body and for sealing that part of the body which snugly engages the lens, the closed inner end of said body being of-convex contour and having its inner face provided with a reflecting means, that part of said body for snug engagement with the lens being of materially greater length than that part of said body offset with respect to the lens, and saidofl'set part having inherent means on the outer periphery thereof for securingholder in position.

15. In a. reflecting device a lens holder of less length than the lens mounted therein, said lens holder including a hollow body portion having a closed inner end and an open outer end, said body having a part thereof for snug engagement with a part of the lens, the other part of said body offset with respect to the lens and providing in connection therewith a pocket for the reception of a means for connecting the lens'to said body and for sealing that part of the body which snugly engages the lens, the closed inner end of said body being of convex contour and having its inner face provided with a reflectingwmeans conforming in contour to and adapted to abut throughout the inner end of the lens, that part of said body for snug engagement with the lens being of materially I greater length than that part of said body offset with respect to the lens, and said offset part having inherent means on the outer periphery thereof for securing holder 1n position.

a 16. In a reflecting device a lens holder com-l prising a hollow body having a closedinner end and an open outer end, said body including an inner part and an outer part for surrounding the 1ens,1the inner diameter of said inner part being such to provide for the latter to snugly fit the lens, said outer part offto provide for thelatter to frictionally engage 'the wall of such socket to secure the holder in position 17 In a reflecting device a lens holder comprising a hollow body having a closed inner end and an open outer end, said body including an inner part and an outer part for sur'-.

rounding the lens, said outer part offset with respect to and connected with said inner part and providing in connection with the lens a pocket for the reception of a means for connecting the lens to said bodyand for sealing said inner part, the closed inner end of said the inner end of the lens and having its inner face provided with a reflecting means, said holder for positioning in a socket of uniform diameter, and the outer diameter of said offset portion conforming in diameter to that of said socket to frictionally engage the wall 7 of the lattento secure the holder in position. 18. In a reflecting device, a lens holder comprising a hollow body having a closed inner end and an open outer end, said body ineluding an inner part and an outer part for surrounding the lens, said outer part offset with respect to and connected to said inner part and providing in connection with the lens a pocket for the reception of a means for connecting the lens to said body and for sealing said inner part, and said outer .part having lengthwise extending, inherent means-on the outer periphery thereof for securing said holder to a support therefor.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature hereto.

' LOUIS RAYMOND .ZEHNDER.

90 body conforming in contour to the shape of 4 

